Cong MLA goes abroad, ‘passes the baton’ to son

Amritsar, November 5: Baba Bakala MLA Santokh Singh Bhalaipur recently told the people of his constituency to contact his elder son Sandeep Singh for any work in his absence as he was going abroad on a 20-day tour.

Sandeep, a Sub-Inspector with the Home Guards Department, was recently shifted to the rural police in Amritsar as part of the additional force on deputation.

Admitting that it was a breach of service norms, SSP (Rural) Param Pal Singh stated that under the rules, Home Guard or police personnel could not be empowered to participate in any political activity, programme or public dealing.

Sandeep said, “I have not taken any political position or charge. I only attend to the phone calls in my father’s absence.” Asked about the photos posted on his FB page, showing him presiding over political events, he declined to comment.

On August 14, a video clip had gone viral in which Bhalaipur was seen addressing Congress workers to ensure victory in rural elections, telling them that DSPs and tehsildars were now “loyalists” of the party, but SHOs were still “gentlemen”.